Armenia: New campaign to help local farmers build greenhouses
For the past 20 years, the farmers in Berkaber have not been able to farm because their land, located on the other side of the village's reservoir, is under the occupation of Azeri military forces. Thankfully, there is a solution. With the partnership of Sahman NGO, ONEArmenia will build four greenhouses in the backyards of four homes in Berkaber, creating not only a regular source of food but also a pathway to steady income for each family, as produce can be sold and traded at market rates for three seasons out of the year. Each greenhouse will measure 100 square meters and can yield up to 50 kilograms of produce per day. The produce grown inside the greenhouses is all-organic, and water is dispersed throughout the structure using an eco-friendly drip system.
According to Sahman NGO, this type of farming is new to Berkaber. However, a team of agriculturists will visit the village regularly to train farmers on how to maintain and expand their greenhouses. Once built, the greenhouses will consistently produce organically-grown fruits and vegetables that the farmers can then sell to neighboring villages and as part of a co-op at the bazaar in nearby Idjevan.
Agriculture is the economic foundation of most countries, and for developing countries the most likely source of economic growth. The impact that four greenhouses can make on this tiny village is quite significant. The creation of greenhouses thus alleviates poverty by empowering the community to grow its own food.
Non-profit funding platform ONEArmenia was founded in September 2012 to stand side-by-side with the change-making individuals and the organizations they represent, using social media and crowd-funding to involve anyone with an Internet connection in boosting projects that are geared toward making tangible change in Armenia. The non-profit is based on its three-pillar commitment to global collaboration, freshness and transparency. This means that the ONEArmenia network makes it possible to not only raise money for a project based in Armenia as a worldwide community, but to also track the progress of said project with complete access to financial information.
The campaign is due to last until August 31st. Click here for more information.